If you are a regular viewer of Fashion at Five on Friday afternoons I apologise for my absence last week, but it was unavoidable. One of my friends and former colleagues at QVC, the lovely Dickie, was getting married. I took the day off so that I could attend the lunchtime ceremony in Stratford on Avon, a beautiful town that I haven't visited since a school trip in 1972… crikey, that's forty years ago!!!!!

The ceremony was held in the Swan Theatre, a wonderful recreation of a Shakespearean theatre in the round, which provided a lovely backdrop. I wasn't sure if we would get there in time for the ceremony as somebody, who shall remain nameless ( Vanessa ), had given us an incorrect road number in our directions. We arrived with minutes to spare so didn't have time to check into the hotel, which meant I was wearing the footwear I had driven up in, Emu boots, whilst all the other females were in strappy sandals or court shoes, as you can see from the photo!!

After the ceremony my partner Chris and I took Ali K for lunch and a wander around town before the evening festivities began. As luck would have it there was a big fair occupying the centre of Stratford so I suggested a ride on the dodgems. The other two looked a little taken aback at first but in the end they enjoyed it just as much as me… I haven't done that for years!!!

Julian Ballantyne and Pipa arrived for the party in the evening, along with lots of the people behind the cameras and I can confirm that a good time was had by all! One of my highlights was seeing the aforementioned Vanessa in a dress for the first time in all the years I have known her – she should do it more often.

Talking of a line up, we have an outstanding line up of guests and products for our annual Breast Cancer Care charity event which is this Wednesday from 6pm – 9pm. Since 1999 we have raised, thanks to you, a staggering 4 million pounds for the charity and we are hoping that we will be able to exceed last years total of £420,000. We have a terrific selection of beauty, fashion and jewellery items to tempt you with, and all the net profit will go directly to the charity. You will also be able to make a donation on the phones or via text if you would prefer.

Dale and I will be hosting the show and Miceal will be keeping you up to date with the running total and also chatting with some of the volunteers who are manning the phone lines, including Jilly, Carmel and Claire, and a little birdie tells me we may have a visit from former Eastenders actor Joe Swash.

Will is on hand for all the action from the guest lounge, and we will also be joined on the night by two of the models from the BCC fashion show, along with Ali K and our model Amica who have both had their own battles with breast cancer.

I'm not going to give away all the surprises but you will also be treated to a vocal performance from a celebrity whose own family has been touched by this disease. I do hope you can join us on Wednesday for what promises to be a fast paced 3 hours – with your help we can fund support not just for the sufferers of breast cancer but for their families too.

10 Comments

Hi Julia,
It sounds as if you had a great time in Stratford, you have now set a new fashion for weddings, emu boots. I expect you had the warmest feet. I am looking forward to the Breast Cancer Care show this evening. I was so sorry to hear about Amica, give her my love and hope everything goes well for her. My sister-in-law who I told you had just been diagnosed with the same has her results today to see if it has spread anywhere else. Lets hope a lot of money is raised this evening to help the cause. I purchased the Samsung Android that was on the other day to replace my HP laptop that gave up on me, I loved the laptop and it was only about three/four years old, I got that from QVC. Looking forward to the Samsung coming. Hope you all have a great evening. Have a great weekend if you are not working.
Love Jean X

Hello Jean
I passed on your god wishes to Amica last night. I have everything crossed that your sister in law might receive some good news with her latest results.
Not sure about setting a fashion for wearing Emu boots at weddings, but you are right about the cosy feet!
Hope you enjoy using your new Samsung Android ………. I absolutely LOVE my iPad and as you know I am a technophobe!
I’m not working this weekend …… off to watch Palace v Millwall on Saturday so hoping for another Eagles victory!
speak soon
Julia x

Hello Julia what a wonderful breast cancer show your dress and hair was lovely and dale looked good in he’s pink bow tie, we’ll I sat and waiting for 3 hours for the butler and Wilson bracelet and guess what I tapped the app just on time and got the gold bracelet I wanted the black one but it went quick. The whole night was a big success and I enjoyed it all. Carole wigan

Hi Julia
Emu boots that early in the winter, you should come to Spain in October, it is still warm enough to wear sandals and short sleeve tops. I looked at the table the other day and Palace are in 4th place,you must be so happy with them this year.
Great breast cancer show as always, I had my check up on 15th October and happy to say that all ok.
I have started my Christmas shopping with QVC and got lots done.
Much love.
Magda.

Hello Carol
I’m so pleased you managed to get the B & W BCC bracelet and that you enjoyed the evening. Thanks for the compliments for Dale and myself.
I’m not sure what the final total raised was but it is in the region of £400,000 which is fantastic in these difficult times.
love
Julia x

Hello Maureen
I have had lots of comments about the top I was wearing in the Christmas Promo. It is from the ‘Very Volbrecht’ range. I have checked our website and it is currently out of stock in the red ( but you could order on waitlist ) and also available in black. I hope you manage to get it
love
Julia x

Hi Magda
Good to hear from you and so pleased that your check up was good news on the 15th.
I was over in Spain the weekend before last sorting out a few things after the sale of my house – it rained on Sunday, but Monday & Tuesday were warm enough to sit on the beach in a bikini!!!
Crystal Palace are doing very well – let’s hope it continues despite the departure of our manager …. new one yet to be confirmed.
Happy shopping
love
Julia x